One of America’s most extraordinary automobiles took the ultimate prize at the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where Harry Yeaggy’s ex-Clark Gable 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Roadster was crowned Best of Show.
One of just two SSJ Special Speedsters ever built, the supercharged, short-wheelbase Duesenberg represents the pinnacle of American Classic Era performance, design and exclusivity.
Motorcopia was there, just steps from the Concours stage, to capture the announcement, the winning car and Yeaggy’s reaction firsthand – offering a close-up view of automotive history being made in the moment.
David C.R. Neyens | Motorcopia
Recently, I was thrilled to have been invited to attend the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as part of the media contingent covering this world-famous event. While our many friends in the collector-car industry will find this report old news, I hope that many other readers will enjoy this lensman’s close-up view of the Best of Show announcement near the Concours stage.
Conceived after industrialist E.L. Cord acquired Duesenberg in 1926, the Duesenberg Model J represents automotive royalty and remains America’s crowning achievement of Classic Era (1925-48) design and engineering. Introduced to great anticipation in 1929, the announcement halted trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. At $8,500 for the chassis alone, the Model J was by far the most expensive car available in America at the time. When completed with a veritable multitude of stunning body choices from the most respected custom coachbuilders, the delivered price of many Duesenbergs approached $20,000, a staggering sum when a typical new family car cost only about $500. Its magnificent specifications, luxury, and regal proportions inspired the popular-culture expression, “It’s a Duesy,” still in use today.
Few could argue that the cost was baseless, and its race-derived specifications sound current even today, with the straight-eight Model J engine delivering 265 bhp in basic form with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and power-assisted hydraulic brakes all around. Eventually, an optional centrifugal supercharger raised output to 320 bhp. Two wheelbase lengths were available, measuring 142.5 and 153.5 inches, respectively, with basic styling cues penned by Gordon Buehrig. Reported top speeds over 100 mph for the Model J are believable, even with heavy and opulent coachwork fitted.
As the 1930s Great Depression continued and left many luxury automotive marques in its debris field, Cord’s Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg conglomerate too felt the strain. Despite developing and offering some of the most value-rich and attractive automobiles ever offered, E.L. Cord would divest himself of his holdings by 1937 and move to California as a real estate investor.
The boldest and most exciting offshoots of the Duesenberg Model J came in 1935, near the end of the original Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg years, in the form of the Duesenberg Model SSJ Roadster, also known as the Special Speedster. Based on a specially shortened 125-inch wheelbase chassis and carrying rakish Walker LaGrande bodywork designed by J. Herbert Newport, Jr. The legendary Duesenberg straight-eight engine featured a supercharger and dual carburetors. Power output was reportedly 320 bhp and, according to some sources, considerably more.
Just two of these vehicles were created, with consecutive chassis numbers. One was originally in the hands of Hollywood legend Gary Cooper (Engine J-563, Chassis 2594) and sold at Gooding and Company’s 2018 Pebble Beach auctions for USD $22 million, including buyer’s commission. This Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance winner (Engine J-567, Chassis 2595) was originally with famed Hollywood icon Clark Gable. Both were exhibited at the 2026 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, marking a truly historic moment in time.
According to a post-concours report on www.conceptcarz.com, the Clark Gable car was subsequently owned by the Ferrara family for over six decades, then passed to the current owner (Harry Yeaggy) on the express wishes of the Ferrara family patriarch. A recent restoration returned the SSJ to its original black lacquer paint finish and light saddle leather interior, faithfully reflecting its original appearance.
It was a thrill to be so close to the action at Pebble Beach and to witness the top honors awarded to this fabulous automobile. It was also a treat to see the car’s owner, Harry Yeaggy, and his expression when he received his award. I met him in person many years ago at the AACA Eastern Region Fall Meet at Hershey, Pennsylvania, and he is a true enthusiast who also owns the famed “Mormon Meteor” Duesenberg that Ab Jenkins used to set so many AAA speed records at Bonneville in the 1930s.
Congratulations to Harry and his restoration team. We also wish to thank everyone at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for presenting such a wonderful event and Gooding Christie’s for making it possible for me to be granted media credentials.
Here is my video of the Best of Show presentation. I hope you will enjoy it.
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